GM Previews 2014 Chevrolet SEMA Concepts

[its a syn]

Was hoping for a 2 door Cruze with a 2.0 turbo.

[Camaro Lives On]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

A FWD midsize sedan should be among the last vehicle on the performance 'to do' list at GM. Just behind ...

Though I hope both are slotted in ahead of the Trax SS, Equinox SS, and Traverse SS.

IMHO, If GM were to ever do another Impala SS, I'd be willing to bet it would be more along the lines of what the XTS Vsport is (since they are platform mates after all), with the 3.6 TTV6, AWD, something like that. That could have some potential. A FWD SS would just be as pointless as the last one.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Camaro Lives On

IMHO, If GM were to ever do another Impala SS, I'd be willing to bet it would be more along the lines of what the XTS Vsport is (since they are platform mates after all), with the 3.6 TTV6, AWD, something like that. That could have some potential. A FWD SS would just be as pointless as the last one.

I kinda liked the old 5.3L SS's, due to the sheer absurdity of sticking a V8 sideways & assuming it would perform well. But given a choice between an AWD TT Impala SS and a RWD 6.2L SS sedan ... I'd take the SS (err ... not Impala) any time. Might be because I don't like the 'feel' of my parents Impala. The controls are too light & disconnected from the road (with all sorts of gizmo's & gadgets to 'help' you drive .... bleh!). On the other hand, I have never driven an SS sedan & its been years since I've been in my cousins (V6) G8, so maybe I don't have quite enough experience with these cars to make a good judgment.

I know that a lot of people equate AWD with OMG WTF BBQ levels of performance ... but aside from 0-60 I've pretty much found them to be 'meh' in terms of performance. Mediocre gas mileage, run out of steam quicker, extra weight, ... just not my cup of performance tea. Once they're moving, a RWD car almost always has better dynamics & performance. And if snow is a concern ... I would first take a beater & park my 'nice' car, and if that wasn't an option I'd go for a set of snow tires (superior driving dynamics doesn't change in reduced traction ... and if you can't get moving due to lack of traction you're better off to just stay put), and then lastly AWD/RWD.

[SSJ455]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I kinda liked the old 5.3L SS's, due to the sheer absurdity of sticking a V8 sideways & assuming it would perform well. But given a choice between an AWD TT Impala SS and a RWD 6.2L SS sedan ... I'd take the SS (err ... not Impala) any time. Might be because I don't like the 'feel' of my parents Impala. The controls are too light & disconnected from the road (with all sorts of gizmo's & gadgets to 'help' you drive .... bleh!). On the other hand, I have never driven an SS sedan & its been years since I've been in my cousins (V6) G8, so maybe I don't have quite enough experience with these cars to make a good judgment.

I know that a lot of people equate AWD with OMG WTF BBQ levels of performance ... but aside from 0-60 I've pretty much found them to be 'meh' in terms of performance. Mediocre gas mileage, run out of steam quicker, extra weight, ... just not my cup of performance tea. Once they're moving, a RWD car almost always has better dynamics & performance. And if snow is a concern ... I would first take a beater & park my 'nice' car, and if that wasn't an option I'd go for a set of snow tires (superior driving dynamics doesn't change in reduced traction ... and if you can't get moving due to lack of traction you're better off to just stay put), and then lastly AWD/RWD.

My Gp GXP had that motor. It sounded real nice with a Magnaflow exhaust and it hauled ass!

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I kinda liked the old 5.3L SS's, due to the sheer absurdity of sticking a V8 sideways & assuming it would perform well. But given a choice between an AWD TT Impala SS and a RWD 6.2L SS sedan ... I'd take the SS (err ... not Impala) any time. Might be because I don't like the 'feel' of my parents Impala. The controls are too light & disconnected from the road (with all sorts of gizmo's & gadgets to 'help' you drive .... bleh!). On the other hand, I have never driven an SS sedan & its been years since I've been in my cousins (V6) G8, so maybe I don't have quite enough experience with these cars to make a good judgment.

I know that a lot of people equate AWD with OMG WTF BBQ levels of performance ... but aside from 0-60 I've pretty much found them to be 'meh' in terms of performance. Mediocre gas mileage, run out of steam quicker, extra weight, ... just not my cup of performance tea. Once they're moving, a RWD car almost always has better dynamics & performance. And if snow is a concern ... I would first take a beater & park my 'nice' car, and if that wasn't an option I'd go for a set of snow tires (superior driving dynamics doesn't change in reduced traction ... and if you can't get moving due to lack of traction you're better off to just stay put), and then lastly AWD/RWD.

You have to consider that "back in the day", the 5.3L was about the equal to the 3.6L put in most FWD cars today. So it was never going to perform like the RWD cars of the past.

And based on your AWD comments, It doesn't sound like you've driven a Full Time AWD car with a decent engine................i.e. Audi S4 That car with 330 hp and 333 lbft of torque (HP same as GM's 3.6 but much higher than GM's 270 torque) with the DCT punched way above it's weight class. Yes a nearly 4,000 pound small car but 4.9 to 60 and I never found it lacking and the FE was several MPGs above our AWD ATS. GM's AWD is simply a step below FT AWD. Now I haven't driven the AWD Mitsubishi or Subaru so I can't compare. But 300 HP inline turbo 4 cylinders don't get much FE when you use your right foot a lot, at least from my experience. Our ATS barely gets upper 20s on the highway.

That being said, I traded the Audi for the SS and from a performance perspective, I'm glad I made that move. I know I'll miss the AWD in the coming winter and the FE sucks with the SS. But the LS3 makes up for both of those.

What I miss is the wonderful interior, the fit and finish and materials and the flawless body panel fit, and the dealership experience for service. All clear give ups going to a Chevrolet. But again, the LS3 has thus far compensated for those too.

[Camaro Lives On]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I kinda liked the old 5.3L SS's, due to the sheer absurdity of sticking a V8 sideways & assuming it would perform well. But given a choice between an AWD TT Impala SS and a RWD 6.2L SS sedan ... I'd take the SS (err ... not Impala) any time. Might be because I don't like the 'feel' of my parents Impala. The controls are too light & disconnected from the road (with all sorts of gizmo's & gadgets to 'help' you drive .... bleh!). On the other hand, I have never driven an SS sedan & its been years since I've been in my cousins (V6) G8, so maybe I don't have quite enough experience with these cars to make a good judgment.

I know that a lot of people equate AWD with OMG WTF BBQ levels of performance ... but aside from 0-60 I've pretty much found them to be 'meh' in terms of performance. Mediocre gas mileage, run out of steam quicker, extra weight, ... just not my cup of performance tea. Once they're moving, a RWD car almost always has better dynamics & performance. And if snow is a concern ... I would first take a beater & park my 'nice' car, and if that wasn't an option I'd go for a set of snow tires (superior driving dynamics doesn't change in reduced traction ... and if you can't get moving due to lack of traction you're better off to just stay put), and then lastly AWD/RWD.

Oh dont get of wrong I'd take the Commodore SS with its angry V8 And rear wheel drive over and all wheel drive TTV6 Impala all day long lol. I was just saying that if Chevy we're to do another sport model on the Impala that they would probably just pick out of the parts bin of what the already have with the XTS Vsport. That way it wouldnt step on the Commodore's toes and yet still be a pretty solid performing car. Throw a more tuned suspension at it than the XTS has of course. By no means do I think it would be the be al end all of performance awsomeness just cuz its AWD but it would at least be something that performs well-ish in its segment compared so some rivals. But thats just my two cents. While the SS sedan is still in production, i dont see an Impala SS of any kind coming.

[TheCaptain]

Nice that they might bring the SS' black accesories stateside. Now they just need to get that car available in Canada!
The blackout Impala is also nice, though the chrome strip on the trunk should be black too.